Bureau of Ghana Languages
Bureau of Ghana Languages |
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| Language centres | Accra and Tamale | |||
| Largest city | Accra | |||
| Sponsored languages | ||||
| Demonym | Ghanaian | |||
| Type | Government Agency | |||
| Leaders | ||||
| • | Agency Chair |  Francis E. Kwaw |
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| Establishment | ||||
| • | Vernacular Literature Bureau | 1 January 1950 | ||
| • | Active | 1951 | ||
| • | Renamed Bureau of Ghana Languages | 1957 | ||
| Area | ||||
| • | Total | 238,535 km2 92,099 sq mi |
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| Population | ||||
| • | 2014 estimate | 27,000,000 | ||
| • | Density | 32.12/km2 83.2/sq mi |
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| Calling code | 233 | |||
| Website http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/index1.php?linkid=331&page=4§ionid=602 |
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The Bureau of Ghana Languages is an agency of the government of Ghana that focuses on Ghanaian languages, including publication of materials in them.
It was founded in 1951, originally as the Vernacular Literature Bureau,[1] and later given its current name. It has two offices, one in Accra and the other in Tamale.
It focuses on 11 languages: Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi, Ewe, Mfantse, Ga, Dangme, Nzema, Dagbani, Dagaare, Gonja and Kasem.[2]
Vision
An institution that provides effective and excellent services for the promotion, orthographic control and learning of Ghanaian languages and other cultural aspects through pragmatic strategies and influencing government policies.
Mission
The mission of the Bureau of Ghana Languages is to provide services in Ghanaian languages to individuals, organizations, institutions and the general research into Ghanaian languages, writing, translation of non-local language documents, assessment, editing and publication of documents in Ghanaian languages and to influence government policies on Ghanaian languages.
Profile
The Bureau of Ghana Languages (BGL) is the focal point for the development, promotion, orthographic control and learning of Ghanaian languages and other cultural aspects. It also influences Government Policies on Ghanaian languages through the co-ordination of all agencies involved in promoting Ghanaian languages.
History
In 1958 it was converted into a Department under the Ministry of Information. It was later transferred from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Education in 1963. The Bureau has since 1st. December, 1989 been under the National Commission on Culture by the PNDC Law 238. The Bureau of Ghana Languages is a government institution involved in the educational and cultural effort of the nation. It is a unique institution because, as a government publishing house, it is the only institution of its kind that publishes exclusively in Ghanaian languages.
List of Directors
| Name | Beginning of term | End of term | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| R.C. Whitaker | 1951 | 1953 | |
| John A Hamilton | 1953 | 1956 | |
| Edwin L. Read Jr. | 1956 | 1958 | |
| Samuel K. Otoo | 1958 | 1968 | |
| Samuel K. Otoo | 1968 | 1972 | |
| Felix S. Konu | 1973 | 1982 | |
| Daniel E. K. Krampah | 1982 | 1995 | |
| John N. Nanor | 1995 | 2001 | |
| J. C. Abbey | 2001 | 2005 | |
| A.A . Arries-Tagoe | 2005 | 2005 | |
| Francis E. Kwaw | 2005 | Date | |